PLANS for a mobile telephone mast have been approved, despite pigeon fanciers' fears that it could upset their birds.

Durham City Council's development control committee approved One2One's plan for the 20m mast on land near Brandon United FC's Commercial Street ground.

The scheme was opposed by three residents and Brandon Allotment Society, whose members have pigeon lofts nearby.

They raised concerns about the possible effect of radiation from the mast on people's health.

The pigeon fanciers also said they were worried that their birds could roost on the mast and be affected by the radio signals.

The committee heard that the recently published Stewart Report on mobile phones had no evidence of such a risk to health from mobile phone signals.

Councillors were also told that One2One would place a model of an owl on the mast to stop pigeons roosting.

Councillor Colin Beswick said he was "absolutely delighted" with the idea, which is one of the conditions of planning permission.

"At least we are looking after the pigeons, even if we can't look after the people," he said.

l Durham County Council is backing Local Government Association calls for tighter planning controls on new masts.